A Bordeaux Dream
By: Larry Gordon
After speaking with Shai and Miriam Guetta the other night about their two venues in Connecticut and Florida, I was sitting here thinking two things. One was about how they would be able to fit all these exciting activities into ten days, and the other was that maybe we should try to find a way to make Pesach with Bordeaux last a little longer.
The fact is that we’ve been friends with Shai and Miriam since they took the magical step from their five-star restaurant on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn to offering “Pesach with Bordeaux.” And for those of you who are connoisseurs of the Pesach experience away from home, you know the Guetta family has turned Pesach with them into a tremendous observance of the chag and a truly high-end yom tov dream. The difference is that in this Pesach dream, your eyes are wide open.
Having spent Pesach with Bordeaux several times over the last few years, in addition to the upscale cuisine and first-class service, once you enter their venue and all their offerings, such as the shul, which also serves as a beis midrash, you know you’re dealing with something special on a spiritual level. The entire experience is an awe-inspiring way to celebrate the chagim, especially Pesach.
New this year is the Pesach Guettaways program in Sandestin, Florida (8 miles east of Destin), which features outstanding personalities like Rabbi Ari Bensoussan and Rabbi Shlomo Farhi, both extraordinary speakers with great Torah insight.
In Connecticut, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Stamford, the program will feature shining stars of the Torah world like Rabbi Daniel Kalish, Rabbi Jonathan Rietti and Rabbi Joey Haber.
And then there is the all-star entertainment that will be enjoyed by young and not-so-young alike. The Connecticut program will feature singing star Yaakov Shwekey, the music of Yankeloo, and the great comedy of Dovie Neuburger.
At the new Florida venue, get ready for the great musical sounds of Mordechai Shapiro and Mendy Worch, along with Dovy Meisels, magician Shlomo Levinger, and Shimi Adar, the powerhouse entertainer for young girls.
The Jewish community has no choice but to consider a series of factors when it comes to where to celebrate yom tov. This year, it looks like Bordeaux has the answer to all eventualities. If you live in the northeast and especially if you’re an accountant during tax season and you work in New York, you might need to be close to home.
If you prefer Florida, then you know that Shai and Miriam have discovered an outstanding resort with a warm and comfortable environment that can’t be beat. As you can see in some of the photos, the hotel in Destin, Florida is on the a marina , with private beach access. The Guettas have arranged for separate swimming for men and women on the beach .
We all know that aside from retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt, our Pesach observance is focused on upscale cuisine, which means that if you’re spending yom tov with Bordeaux, you’re in luck because that’s what their team is famous for.
And this year, Pesach with Bordeaux is going all out in an even more upscale fashion. At most hotels, baked goods are usually brought in from outside vendors. This year, Bordeaux is bringing their own award-winning pastry chef from Israel, Idan Hadad, Hilton Tel-Aviv’s own executive pastry chef, along with ten of his assistants, which sounds to me like each dessert will be an experience unto itself.
In addition, internationally known chef Chaim Levy will be leading his team in the kitchen of the Florida program to oversee what has become the most outstanding cuisine of any Pesach hotel in the world.
Taking on a second hotel for yom tov was a big step for Bordeaux, but more important, for those who want to be in Florida for the chag, it was their response to their clientele’s demand.
Joining the Bordeaux folks for Pesach is really about enhancing your yom tov experience.
Bordeaux for yom tov is really about enhancing your yom tov. For those who look forward to interesting shiurim and food service round the clock, this is the place where you can indeed find it all.
On a personal note, I should add that our sons Nachi and Nison and their families of Meaningful People fame will be at the Connecticut venue over the chag. And just like in the past, Nachi will oversee some insightful and interesting panels that will discuss important issues of the day. Some of the panel discussions of Chol HaMoed are recorded and at some point, after the chag, will be featured on their very popular programs that have impact around the Jewish world.
It is important to add that the personal touch and warmth that Shai and Miriam bring to their guests on Pesach is something you can see and feel just about everywhere you turn. Whether it’s breakfast, Shacharis, the day camp, or tea room, like their restaurants, everything they do is on a level to please and delight their guests.
Just to cover all the bases, other personalities that will be present at the Connecticut venue include the amazing magician and mentalist, Ben Cohen, and on the matter of shidduchim, Mrs. Gitty Epstein. Over in Florida there will also be shadchanim since yom tov means being away for more than a week, it is the perfect time for these matches to evolve.
Most importantly, your children, young and even older, are going to enjoy themselves immensely as you will too. Pesach with Bordeaux—there’s nothing else like it.
Read more of Larry Gordon’s articles at 5TJT.com. Follow 5 Towns Jewish Times on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and live videos. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome at 5TJT.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
